Bootstrap circuit

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a bootstrap circuit configured to employ first, second and third transistors of the same conduction type wherein: a node section connecting a gate electrode of the first transistor and a specific one of the source and drain areas of a third transistor to each other is put in a floating state when the third transistor is put in a turned-off state; a gate electrode of the second transistor is connected to a clock supply line which conveys the other one of the two clock signals; and a voltage-variation repression capacitor is provided between the node section and a first voltage supply line.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Divisional Application of the patent application Ser. No. 12/320,611, filed Jan. 30, 2009, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application JP 2008-028559 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Feb. 8, 2008, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bootstrap circuit used in a shift register circuit and an output buffer circuit.

2. Description of the Related Art

A shift register circuit is widely used as a scan circuit or a matrix array driving circuit in a display apparatus and a semiconductor memory apparatus.

At the output stage of a shift register circuit, a push-pull output circuit is generally used. If the push-pull output circuit is configured by making use of only transistors of the same conduction type, however, the output voltage of the push-pull output circuit cannot be assured sufficiently. If the push-pull output circuit is configured by making use of only transistors which are each created as a transistor of the n-channel type for example, a difference V_(gs) in electric potential between a gate electrode and a source area in a transistor provided on the high electric-potential side of the push-pull output circuit drops as the output voltage of the push-pull output circuit rises. For V_(gs)<V_(th) where reference notation V_(th) denotes the threshold voltage of the transistor, the transistor is in a turned-off state. Thus, the push-pull output circuit generates the output voltage only for a range of (V_(gs)-V_(th)). In order to solve this problem, there has been proposed an output circuit which makes use of a bootstrap operation.

As a shift register circuit making use of a bootstrap operation, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 10-112645 used as Patent Document 1 in this patent specification discloses a transistor circuit having a typical configuration shown in a circuit diagram of FIG. 25. As shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 25, the typical configuration basically employs three transistors per stage. In the case of the typical configuration shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 25, three transistors Tr₁, Tr₂ and Tr₃ of typically the n-channel type are employed at every stage of the configuration.

The shift register circuit having a typical configuration shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 25 is explained as follows. FIG. 26A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit provided at the first stage of the shift register circuit whereas FIG. 26B is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 26A. By paying attention to the first stage of the shift register circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 26A, the reader will be aware of the fact that a first transistor Tr₁ and a second transistor Tr₂ together compose a push-pull output circuit. A specific one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ and a specific one of the source and drain areas of the second transistor Tr₂ are connected to each other by an output section OUT₁ of the bootstrap circuit provided at the first stage. A transistor has two areas, i.e., source and drain areas which are referred to as a specific one of the source and drain areas and the other one of the source and drain areas respectively in this patent specification. By the same token, two clock signals having phases different from each other are referred to as a specific one of the clock signals and the other one of the clock signals respectively in this patent specification.

The other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ is connected to a clock supply line which conveys a specific one of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ having phases different from each other as shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 26B. In the case of the first stage of the typical shift register circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 26A, the specific one of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ is the clock signal CK₁. The other one of the source and drain areas of the second transistor Tr₂ is connected to a first voltage supply line conveying a first voltage V_(ss) which is set typically at a low level of 0 V. The gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and a specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃ are connected to each other by a node section P₁. The gate electrodes of the second transistor Tr₂ and the third transistor Tr₃ are connected to a clock supply line conveying the other one of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂. In the case of the first stage of the typical shift register circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 26A, the other one of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ is thus the clock signal CK₂. The other one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃ is connected to a signal supply line which conveys an input signal IN₁.

It is to be noted that, between the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁, between the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ or between the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ as well as between the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁, a capacitor serving a bootstrap capacitor may be connected in some cases. In the case of the first stage of the typical shift register circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 25 or 26A, a capacitor C_(a) serving a bootstrap capacitor is connected between the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁. Typically, the bootstrap capacitor C_(a) is composed of two conductive layers sandwiching an insulation layer. As an alternative, the bootstrap capacitor C_(a) can also be the so-called MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) capacitor.

By referring to the timing charts shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 26B, operations carried out by the first stage of the typical shift register circuit are explained as follows. It is to be noted that the high level of each of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ having phases different from each other and the input signal IN₁ is a second voltage V_(dd) which is set typically at 5 V. On the other hand, the low level of each of these signals is the aforementioned first voltage V_(ss) which is set typically at 0 V as described above. In the following description, reference notation V_(th1) denotes the threshold voltage of an ith transistor. For example, reference notation V_(th3) denotes the threshold voltage of the third transistor Tr₃.

Time Period T₁

In the time period T₁, each of the input signal IN₁ and the first clock signal CK₁ is set at a low level whereas the second clock signal CK₂ is set at a high level. The input signal IN₁ set at the low level is supplied to the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ by way of the third transistor Tr₃ which is in a turned-on state. Thus, the electric potential appearing at the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and the node section P₁ is also set at the low level, putting the first transistor Tr₁ in a turned-off state. Since the second clock signal CK₂ is set at a high level, on the other hand, the second transistor Tr₂ is put in a turned-on state as the third transistor Tr₃ is. Thus, the output section OUT₁ is pulled down by the second transistor Tr₂ put in a turned-on state to the first voltage V_(ss) which is a voltage at a low level.

Time Period T₂

In the time period T₂, the first clock signal CK₁ is set at the high level whereas the second clock signal CK₂ is set at the low level. Since the third transistor Tr₃ is put in a turned-off state, the node section P₁ is put in a floating state of holding the electric potential which has been set during the time period T₁. That is to say, the node section P₁ is put in a floating state of sustaining the electric potential which has been set at the low level. Thus, the first transistor Tr₁ is maintaining the turned-off state. On the other hand, the state of the second transistor Tr₂ is changed from the turned-on state to the turned-off state. As a result, the output section OUT₁ is put in a floating state of being connected to a capacitive load which is not shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 26A. That is to say, the output section OUT₁ is sustaining the electric potential which has been set at the low level during the time period T₁.

Time Period T₃

In the time period T₃, each of the input signal IN₁ and the second clock signal CK₂ is set at the high level whereas the first clock signal CK₁ is set at the low level. The third transistor Tr₃ is put in a turned-on state, supplying the input signal IN₁ set at the high level to the node section P₁. Thus, the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁ rises. As the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁ attains an electric potential of (V_(dd)-V_(th3)) the third transistor Tr₃ is put in a turned-off state, putting the node section P₁ in a floating state of holding the electric potential of V_(dd)-V_(th3)). Each of the first transistor Tr₁ and the second transistor Tr₂ is in a turned-on state. The first clock signal CK₁ set at the same low level as the first voltage V_(ss) is supplied to the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁. The other one of the source and drain areas of the second transistor Tr₂ is also connected to a first voltage supply line which conveys the first voltage V_(ss). Thus, the first voltage V_(ss) appears on the output section OUT₁, setting the output section OUT₁ at a low level.

Time Period T₄

In the time period T₄, the first clock signal CK₁ is set at the high level whereas each of the input signal IN₁ and the second clock signal CK₂ is set at the low level. Since the second clock signal CK₂ is set at the low level, each of the second transistor Tr₂ and the third transistor Tr₃ is in a turned-off state. The node section P₁ is put in a floating state whereas the first transistor Tr₁ is put in a turned-on state. Thus, the first transistor Tr₁ connects the output section OUT₁ to the first clock supply line conveying the first clock signal CK₁ set at the high level, raising the electric potential appearing on the output section OUT₁. At that time, due to a bootstrap operation through a bootstrap capacitor such as the gate capacitor of the first transistor Tr₁, the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁ rises to a level at least equal to the second voltage V_(dd). Thus, the second voltage V_(dd) is output as the high level of the output section OUT₁.

Time Period T₅

In the time period T₅, each of the input signal IN₁ and the first clack signal CK₁ is set at the low level whereas the second clock signal CK₂ is set at the high level. When the second clock signal CK₂ is set at the high level, each of the second transistor Tr₂ and the third transistor Tr₃ is put in a turned-on state. The second transistor Tr₂ put in a turned-on state connects the output section OUT₁ to the first voltage supply line conveying the first voltage V_(ss). Thus, the output section OUT₁ is reset to the low level. On the other hand, the third transistor Tr₃ put in a turned-on state connects the node section P₁ to the input signal IN₁ which is set at the low level. Thus, the node section P₁ is also reset to the low level.

Time Period T₆

In the time period T₆, the first clock signal CK₁ is set at the high level whereas each of the input signal IN₁ and the second clock signal CK₂ is set at the low level. The operation carried out in the time period T₆ is basically the same as the operation carried out in the time period T₂. Since the third transistor Tr₃ is put in a turned-off state, the node section P₁ is put in a floating state of holding the electric potential set at the low level. Thus, the first transistor Tr₁ is maintaining the turned-off state. On the other hand, the state of the second transistor Tr₂ is changed from the turned-on state to the turned-off state. As a result, the output section OUT₁ is sustaining the electric potential set at the low level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the explanation of the operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit described above, effects of a variety of abrupt level changes generated through capacitors such as parasitic capacitors are not taken into consideration. In actuality, however, the electric potentials appearing on floating members such as the node section P₁ varies due to the effects of a variety of abrupt level changes generated through capacitors such as parasitic capacitors. In addition, the higher the operating speed of the bootstrap circuit, the higher the speeds at which a pulse rises and falls so that the stronger the effects of a variety of abrupt level changes generated through capacitors such as parasitic capacitors. Strong effects of a variety of abrupt level changes generated through capacitors such as parasitic capacitors cause the bootstrap circuit to operate incorrectly.

Addressing the problems described above, inventors of the present invention have innovated a bootstrap circuit employed in a shift register circuit and an output buffer circuit to serve as a bootstrap circuit capable of reducing the number of effects of a variety of abrupt level changes generated through capacitors such as parasitic capacitors.

A bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with a first, second, third or fourth mode of the present invention to serve as a bootstrap circuit capable of reducing the number of aforementioned effects is configured to employ first, second and third transistors.

In the bootstrap circuit:

(A-1) a specific one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor and a specific one of the source and drain areas of the second transistor are connected to each other by an output section of the bootstrap circuit;

(A-2) the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor is connected to a clock supply line which conveys a specific one of two clock signals having phases different from each other;

(A-3) the gate electrode of the first transistor and a specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor are connected to each other by a node section;

(B-1) the other one of the source and drain areas of the second transistor is connected to a first voltage supply line which conveys a first predetermined voltage;

(C-1) the other one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor is connected to a signal supply line which conveys an input signal supplied to the bootstrap circuit;

(C-2) the gate electrode of the third transistor is connected to a clock supply line which conveys the other one of the two clock signals; and

the node section connecting the gate electrode of the first transistor and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor to each other is put in a floating state when the third transistor is put in a turned-off state.

In the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first mode of the present invention to serve as a bootstrap circuit capable of reducing the number of aforementioned effects:

the gate electrode of the second transistor is connected to the clock supply line which conveys the other one of the two clock signals having phases different from each other; and

a voltage-variation repression capacitor is provided between the node section and the first voltage supply line.

Since the voltage-variation repression capacitor is provided between the node section and the first voltage supply line, it is possible to repress variations of an electric potential appearing on the node section when the third transistor is put in a turned-off state as well as electric-potential variations which appear on the node section due to the two clock signals.

The bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first mode of the present invention is further provided with a fourth transistor having the same conduction type as the first to third transistors. In this bootstrap circuit:

(D-1) a specific one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor is connected to the gate electrode of the first transistor;

(D-2) the other one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor is connected by a junction point to the specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor; and

(D-3) the gate electrode of the fourth transistor is a connected to a second voltage supply line conveying a second predetermined voltage.

In the case of the configuration described above, the voltage-variation repression capacitor can be provided between the first voltage supply line and the junction point connecting the other one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor to the specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor. In this configuration, the fourth transistor splits the node section, which is put into a floating state when the third transistor is put in a turned-off state, into portions. By setting the second predetermined voltage at a level that puts the fourth transistor in a turned-off state in a bootstrap operation, the voltage-variation repression capacitor is disconnected from the node section in the bootstrap operation. Thus, this configuration offers a merit that a bootstrap gain does not decrease even if the voltage-variation repression capacitor is provided between the first voltage supply line and the node section.

In the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the second mode of the present invention to serve as a bootstrap circuit capable of reducing the number of aforementioned effects:

the gate electrode of the second transistor is connected to the clock supply line which conveys the other one of the two clock signals having phases different from each other; and

a voltage-variation repression capacitor is provided between the node section and the gate electrode of the second transistor.

In the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the second mode of the present invention, the capacitance of the voltage-variation repression capacitor included in the configuration of the bootstrap circuit is set at such a value that electric-potential variations caused by abrupt level changes generated by the two clock signals having phases different from each other as abrupt level changes to the node section cancel each other. Thus, it is possible to repress variations of a electric potential appearing on the node section.

The bootstrap circuit according to the third mode of the present invention is also provided with a fourth transistor having the same conduction type as the first to third transistors as well as provided with an inverter circuit. In the bootstrap circuit:

(E-1) a specific one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor is connected by a junction point to the input side of the inverter circuit, the output side of which is connected to the gate electrode of the second transistor;

(E-2) the other one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor is connected to the input supply line; and

(E-3) the gate electrode of the fourth transistor is connected to the clock supply line which conveys the other one of the two clock signals.

In an operation determined in advance, the output of the inverter circuit sustains the turned-on state of the second transistor in order to maintain a state of applying a voltage generated by the other one of the source and drain areas of the second transistor to the output section. It is thus possible to repress voltage variations generated by the output section due to variations exhibited by a leak current flowing in the first transistor as leak-current variations caused by variations of an electric potential appearing on the node section.

It is possible to provide an alternative configuration in which a voltage-variation repression capacitor is wired between the first voltage supply line and the junction point connecting the specific one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor to the input side of the inverter circuit. Since this voltage-variation repression capacitor functions as a capacitor for repressing variations of a voltage appearing on the input side of the inverter circuit, the operation carried out by the inverter circuit can be made more stable.

It is also possible to provide the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third mode of the present invention with a desirable configuration in which a special capacitor is provided between the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor and the junction point connecting the specific one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor to the input side of the inverter circuit.

In the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fourth mode of the present invention to serve as a bootstrap circuit capable of reducing the number of aforementioned effects:

the gate electrode of the second transistor is connected to the clock supply line which conveys the other one of the two clock signals having phases different from each other;

the bootstrap circuit is further provided with at least one of circuit sections each employing a fourth transistor and a fifth transistor which have the same conduction type as the first to third transistors;

in each of the circuit sections:

(F-1) the gate electrode of the fourth transistor is connected by a junction point to a specific one of the source and drain areas of the fifth transistor; and

(F-2) the other one of the source and drain areas of the fifth transistor is connected to the signal supply line which conveys the input signal;

the specific one of the two clock signals having phases different from each other is supplied to the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor by way of the fourth transistor connected in series between the clock supply line supplying the specific one of the two clock signals and the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor.

The bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fourth mode of the present invention can be configured to include a bootstrap capacitor wired between the output section of the bootstrap circuit and the junction point connecting the gate electrode of the fourth transistor to the specific one of the source and drain areas of the fifth transistor. Also in each of the circuit sections each employing the fourth and fifth transistors in the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fourth mode of the present invention to serve as a bootstrap circuit including the desirable configuration described above, a bootstrap operation takes place. In other words, the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fourth mode of the present invention includes a configuration in which a plurality of circuit sections each for carrying out a bootstrap operation are connected to each other in parallel.

In the configuration described above, it is possible to repress variations of an electric potential which appears on the node section when the third transistor is put in a turned-off state and electric-potential variations which appear on the node section due to the two clock signals.

Each of the bootstrap circuits provided in accordance with the first, second, third and fourth modes of the present invention can be configured to employ transistors each created as a transistor of the n-channel type or transistors each created as a transistor of the p-channel type. It is to be noted that, in the following description, each of the bootstrap circuits provided in accordance with the first, second, third and fourth modes of the present invention is referred to simply as a bootstrap circuit provided by the present invention in some cases. Each of the transistors can be a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) or a transistor created on a semiconductor substrate. The structure of each of the transistors is not prescribed in particular. In the following description, each of the transistors is explained as a transistor of an enhancement type. However, each of the transistors is by no means limited to the transistor of the enhancement type. For example, each of the transistors can also be a transistor of a depletion type. In addition, each of the transistors can be a transistor of single-gate type or a dual-gate type.

For example, on a substrate used for constructing a liquid-crystal display apparatus of an active-matrix type, pixel electrodes and driving transistors each connected to one of the pixel electrodes are created. In addition, on the same substrate, circuits such as a scan circuit making use of bootstrap circuits can also be created. In such a configuration, it is convenient to configure the bootstrap circuit to employ transistors of the same conduction type as the driving transistors. Since the transistors each created on the substrate to serve as a driving transistor and the transistors each created on the substrate to serve as a bootstrap-circuit transistor of the scan circuit have the same conduction type, the transistors can be created in the same process. Other display apparatus including an organic electro luminescence display apparatus can also be constructed in the same way as the liquid-crystal display apparatus.

Each of the capacitors employed in the bootstrap circuit is typically composed of two conductive layers sandwiching an insulation layer. As an alternative, each of the capacitors can also be the so-called MOS capacitor. Each of elements employed in the bootstrap circuit to serve as elements including the transistors, the capacitors and wires used as the signal supply lines, the voltage supply lines, the clock supply lines as well as components connecting the lines can be created from known materials by adoption of known methods. Proper configurations for the elements including the transistors, the capacitors and the wires as well as proper methods for creating the elements are selected in accordance with, among others, the specifications of an apparatus employing the bootstrap circuit.

The configuration of the inverter circuit employed in the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third mode of the present invention is not prescribed in particular. Basically, however, it is desirable to construct the inverter circuit from transistors each having the same conduction type as the other transistors composing the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third mode of the present invention. For example, an inverter circuit created from transistors having a uniform conduction type is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2005-143068. The bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third mode of the present invention may employ the inverter circuit disclosed in this document. In addition, a variety of inverter circuits are proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-26742 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-26743. By the same token, the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third mode of the present invention may employ any of the inverter circuits disclosed in these documents.

Each of the bootstrap circuits each provided in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention is capable of reducing the number of effects of a variety of abrupt level changes generated through capacitors such as parasitic capacitors. Thus, in each of application circuits such as a shift register circuit and an output buffer circuit which employ one of the bootstrap circuits each provided in accordance with the embodiments is capable of reducing the number of circuit incorrect operations caused by a variety of such abrupt level changes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a scan circuit composed of a bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention at every stage;

FIG. 2A is a conceptual block diagram showing a typical configuration of an organic EL (electro luminescence) display apparatus employing the scan circuit and a plurality of organic electro luminescence devices which each serve as a light emitting device;

FIG. 2B is a conceptual block diagram showing a typical configuration of the organic EL display apparatus by focusing on a model of the circuit of one organic EL device;

FIG. 3A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of the bootstrap circuit in related art including parasitic capacitors;

FIG. 3B is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit in related art including the parasitic capacitors;

FIG. 4A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit employing a voltage-variation repression capacitor;

FIG. 4B is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit employing the voltage-variation repression capacitor;

FIG. 5A is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the shift register circuit serving as the scan circuit of FIG. 1 for a case in which a signal supplied to a bootstrap circuit provided at a specific stage has a phase leading ahead of the phase of a signal supplied to a bootstrap circuit provided at stage immediately preceding the specific stage;

FIG. 5B is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the shift register circuit serving as the scan circuit of FIG. 1 for a case in which a signal supplied to a bootstrap circuit provided at a specific stage has a phase lagging behind the phase of a signal supplied to a bootstrap circuit provided at stage immediately preceding the specific stage;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a plurality of circuit diagrams each showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit provided, at a specific stage to serve as a bootstrap circuit outputting a signal to another bootstrap circuit, which is provided at a stage immediately succeeding the specific stage, by way of a delay element;

FIG. 7A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit implemented by a second embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit at the first stage of the scan circuit;

FIG. 7B is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit including parasitic capacitors implemented by the second embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit at the first stage of the scan circuit;

FIG. 8A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit implemented by a third embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit at the first stage of the scan circuit;

FIG. 8B is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit implemented by the third embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit at the first stage of the scan circuit;

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit implemented by a fourth embodiment of the present invention to serve as a bootstrap circuit at the first stage of the scan circuit;

FIG. 10A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of an inverter circuit;

FIG. 10B is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the inverter circuit;

FIG. 11 is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of an inverter circuit;

FIGS. 12B and 12C are a timing diagrams showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the inverter circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with a fifth embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit provided at the first stage of the scan circuit;

FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with a sixth embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit provided at the first stage of the scan circuit;

FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with a seventh embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit provided at the first stage of the scan circuit;

FIG. 16 is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with the seventh embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration obtained by adding a circuit section employing another fourth transistor and another fifth transistor to the configuration already including a circuit section employing a fourth transistor and a fifth transistor as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18A is a circuit diagram showing a configuration including an additional voltage-variation repression capacitor added to the bootstrap circuit according to the seventh embodiment shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 15 to serve as a capacitor in addition to a voltage-variation repression capacitor corresponding to the voltage-variation repression capacitor employed in bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 18B is a circuit diagram showing a configuration including an additional voltage-variation capacitor added to the bootstrap circuit according to the seventh embodiment shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 15 to serve as a capacitor in addition to a voltage-variation repression capacitor corresponding to the voltage-variation repression capacitor employed in bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third embodiment shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit obtained by properly combining the characteristics of the configurations of the first to seventh embodiments;

FIG. 20A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment at the first stage of the scan circuit as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 20B is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the second embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 20C is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 21A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fourth embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 9;

FIG. 21B is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fifth embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 13;

FIG. 21C is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the sixth embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 14;

FIG. 22A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the seventh embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 15;

FIG. 22B is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, also to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the seventh embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 17;

FIG. 23A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the seventh embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 18A;

FIG. 23B is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, also to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the seventh embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 18B;

FIG. 24 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the seventh embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 19;

FIG. 25 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a shift register circuit provided with a bootstrap circuit, which basically employs three transistors, per stage;

FIG. 26A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit provided at the first stage of the shift register circuit; and

FIG. 26B is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 26A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained by referring to diagrams as follows.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of the present invention implements a bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first mode of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a scan circuit 101 composed of bootstrap circuits each provided in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention at every stage. It is to be noted that, for the sake of convenience, the typical scan circuit 101 shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 1 employs only two bootstrap circuits at the first and second stages respectively. FIGS. 2A and 2B are a plurality of conceptual block diagrams each showing a typical configuration of an organic electro luminescence display apparatus which is referred to hereafter simply as an organic EL display apparatus. To be more specific, FIG. 2A, is a conceptual block diagram showing a typical configuration of the organic EL display apparatus employing the scan circuit 101 and a plurality of organic electro luminescence devices 10 each referred to simply as an organic EL device. In the organic EL display apparatus, each of the organic electro luminescence devices 10 serves as a light emitting device. On the other hand, FIG. 2B is a conceptual block diagram showing a typical configuration of the organic EL display apparatus by focusing on a model circuit of one organic EL device 10.

The bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to the circuit diagram of FIG. 1 by paying attention only to the first stage of the scan circuit 101 shown in the diagram. The bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention employs a first transistor Tr₁, a second transistor Tr₂ and a third transistor Tr₃ which have the same conduction type. In the case of the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, each the of the first transistor Tr₁, the second transistor Tr₂ and the third transistor Tr₃ has the same conduction type which is the conduction type of an n-channel transistor as will be described later.

In the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention:

(A-1) a specific one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ and a specific one of the source and drain areas of the second transistor Tr₂ are connected to each other by an output section OUT₁ of the bootstrap circuit;

(A-2) the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ is connected to a clock supply line which conveys a specific one of two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ having phases different from each other;

(A-3) the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and a specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃ are connected to each other by a node section P₁;

(B-1) the other one of the source and drain areas of the second transistor Tr₂ is connected to a first voltage supply line PS₁ conveying a first predetermined voltage V_(ss) which is set at a typical electric potential of 0 V;

(C-1) the other one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃ is connected to a signal supply line which conveys an input signal IN₁ supplied to the bootstrap circuit;

(C-2) the gate electrode of the third transistor Tr₃ is connected to a clock supply line which conveys the other one of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂; and

the node section P₁ connecting the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃ to each other is put in a floating state when the third transistor Tr₃ is put in a turned-off state.

In addition, the gate electrode of the second transistor Tr₂ is connected to the clock supply line which conveys the other one of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ having phases different from each other. (In the case of the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, the other one of two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ is the clock signal CK₂ as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 1). On top of that, a voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ is connected between the first sub-node section P₁ and the first voltage supply line PS₁.

In the case of the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ is configured to employ two conductive layers and an insulation layer sandwiched by the two conductive layers. It is to be noted that, as explained earlier in the paragraph with a title of “Description of the Related Art,” a capacitor is also connected between the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ to serve as a bootstrap capacitor C_(a). Much like the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁, the bootstrap capacitor C_(a) is also configured to employ two conductive layers and an insulation layer sandwiched by the two conductive layers.

It is also worth noting that, as explained earlier in the paragraph with a title of “Description of the Related Art,” the high level of each of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ having phases different from each other and the input signal IN₁ is the level of the second voltage V_(dd) which is set typically at 5 V. On the other hand, the low level of each of these signals is the level of the aforementioned first voltage V_(ss) which is set typically at 0 V as described above. In addition, the threshold voltage of the third transistor Tr₃ is denoted by reference notation V_(th3).

First of all, the following description explains the configuration of the organic EL display apparatus employing the scan circuit 101 and operations carried out by the organic EL display apparatus. As shown in the conceptual block diagram of FIG. 2A, the organic EL display apparatus includes:

(1) the scan circuit 101;

(2) a signal outputting circuit 102;

(3) N×M aforementioned organic EL devices 10 laid out to form a two-dimensional matrix composed of N arrays arranged in a first direction and M arrays arranged in a second direction different from the first direction;

(4) M scan lines SCL each connected to the scan circuit 101 and each stretched in the first direction;

(5) N data lines DTL each connected to the signal outputting circuit 102 and each stretched in the second direction (in particular, in a direction perpendicular to the first direction); and

(6) a power-supply section 100.

It is to be noted that, in the conceptual block diagram of FIG. 2A, the matrix is shown to be composed of only 3×3 organic EL devices just for the sake of convenience. That is to say, the matrix is no more than a typical matrix. The components such as the scan circuit 101, the organic EL devices 10, the scan lines SCL and the data lines DTL are created on a substrate which is not shown in the conceptual block diagrams of FIG. 2A. The substrate is typically made of glass.

A light emitting device ELP is designed into a known configuration and a known structure which typically include an anode electrode, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transport layer and a cathode electrode. By the same token, each of the signal outputting circuit 102, the scan lines SCL, the data lines DTL and the power-supply section 100 can also be designed into a known configuration and a known structure.

As shown in the conceptual block diagram of FIG. 2B, in addition to the light emitting device ELP, the organic EL device 10 also employs a driving circuit which includes a driving transistor Tr_(D), a signal writing transistor Tr_(W) and a signal holding capacitor C_(H). It is to be noted that, reference notation C_(EL) denotes the capacitance of the light emitting device ELP.

Each of the driving transistor Tr_(D) and the signal writing transistor Tr_(W) is a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) of the n-channel type. The TFT has source and drain areas, a channel creation area as well as a gate electrode. The driving circuit is also created on the aforementioned substrate which is not shown in the conceptual block diagrams of FIG. 2B. The light emitting device ELP is created in a predetermined area on the same substrate so as to cover this driving circuit.

In the same way as the driving transistor Tr_(D) and the signal writing transistor Tr_(W), each of the first transistor Tr₁, the second transistor Tr₂ and the third transistor Tr₃ which are employed in the scan circuit 101 is also an n-channel TFT having source and drain areas, a channel creation area as well as a gate electrode. By the same token, each of the first transistor Tr₁, the second transistor Tr₂ and the third transistor Tr₃ is also created on the aforementioned substrate which is not shown in the conceptual block diagrams of FIG. 2B. In addition, each of other elements such as a fourth transistor employed in other embodiments to be described later is also created on the same substrate.

A specific one of the source and drain areas of the driving transistor Tr_(D) is connected to the power-supply section 100 generating a voltage V_(cc) set at a typical high level of 20 V. The other one of the source and drain areas of the driving transistor Tr_(D) is connected to the anode electrode of the light emitting device ELP and a specific one of the terminals of the signal holding capacitor C_(H). The gate electrode of the driving transistor Tr_(D) is connected to the other one of the source and drain areas of the signal writing transistor Tr_(W) and the other one of the terminals of the signal holding capacitor C_(H). A specific one of the source and drain areas of the signal writing transistor Tr_(W) is connected to the data line DTL whereas the gate electrode of the signal writing transistor Tr_(W) is connected to the scan line SCL. The cathode electrode of the light emitting device ELP is connected to a voltage supply line conveying a voltage V_(Cat) set at a typical low level of 0 V. The organic EL device 10 is driven by adoption of an active-matrix driving method as follows.

For example, when the top scan line SCL driven by the scan circuit 101 as shown in the conceptual block diagram of FIG. 2A is set by the scan circuit 101 at a high level, the signal writing transistor Tr_(W) employed in every organic EL device 10 connected to the scan line SCL is put in a turned-on state, supplying a video signal asserted by the signal outputting circuit 102 on the data line DTL to the other one of the terminals of the signal holding capacitor C_(H). When the top scan line SCL is set by the scan circuit 101 at a low level, on the other hand, the signal writing transistor Tr_(W) is put in a turned-off state. With the signal writing transistor Tr_(W) put in a turned-off state, however, a difference in electric potential between the gate electrode of the driving transistor Tr_(D) and the source area of the driving transistor Tr_(D) is sustained by the signal holding capacitor C_(H) at a value according to the video signal. Thus, a current according to the magnitude of the video signal flows from the power-supply section 100 to the light emitting device ELP by way of the driving transistor Tr_(D), causing the light emitting device ELP to emit light.

In order to make the explanation of the first embodiment easy to understand, the following description explains an operation carried out by the bootstrap circuit in related art by taking parasitic capacitors into consideration. FIG. 3A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of the bootstrap circuit in related art including the parasitic capacitors whereas FIG. 3B is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit in related art including the parasitic capacitors. It is to be noted that, in order to help the reader understand the description with ease, unlike the timing diagram of FIG. 26B, in the case of the timing diagram of FIG. 3B, there are time periods during which both the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ are put at a low level.

In the circuit diagram of FIG. 3A, reference notation C₁ denotes a parasitic capacitor between the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁, reference notation C₂ denotes a parasitic capacitor between the gate electrode of the second transistor Tr₂ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the second transistor Tr₂ whereas reference notation C₃ denotes a parasitic capacitor between the gate electrode of the third transistor Tr₃ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃.

In the bootstrap circuit shown in the diagram of FIG. 3A, when the third transistor Tr₃ is put in a turned-off state, the node section P₁ enters a floating state. As described earlier, the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ is a portion of the node section P₁ whereas the first clock signal CK₁ is supplied to the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁. The gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ is electro-statically coupled by the parasitic capacitor C₁ with the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁. On the other hand, the second clock signal CK₂ is supplied to the gate electrode of the third transistor Tr₃ whereas the specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃ is a portion of the node section P₁. The gate electrode of the third transistor Tr₃ is electro-statically coupled by the parasitic capacitor C₃ with the specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃.

When both the first transistor Tr₁ and the second transistor Tr₂ are put in a turned-off state, the output section OUT₁ of the bootstrap circuit enters a floating state. The second clock signal CK₂ is also supplied to the gate electrode of the second transistor Tr₂ whereas the specific one of the source and drain areas of the second transistor Tr₂ is a portion of the output section OUT₁. The gate electrode of the second transistor Tr₂ is electro-statically coupled by the parasitic capacitor C₂ with the specific one of the source and drain areas of the second transistor Tr₂. On the other hand, the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ is a portion of the node section P₁ as described above whereas the specific one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ is a portion of the output section OUT₁. The gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ is electro-statically coupled by the bootstrap capacitor C_(a) with the specific one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁. It is to be noted that, in actuality, a parasitic capacitor not shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 3A also exists between gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁. Since the electrostatic coupling provided by the bootstrap capacitor C_(a) is predominant in comparison with the parasitic capacitor existing between gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁, however, the parasitic capacitor existing between gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ is not taken into account for the sake of convenience.

Operations carried out during time periods T₁ to T₆ shown in the tithing diagram of FIG. 3B are basically similar to operations explained earlier by referring to the timing diagram of FIG. 26B as the operations carried out during the time periods T₁ to T₆. For this reason, basic operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit shown in the diagram of FIG. 3A are not described in order to avoid duplications of explanations.

As described above, the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ is a portion of the node section P₁ whereas the first clock signal CK₁ is supplied to the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁. The gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ is electro-statically coupled by the parasitic capacitor C₁ with the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁. On the other hand, the second clock signal CK₂ is supplied to the gate electrode of the third transistor Tr₃ whereas the specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃ is a portion of the node section P₁. The gate electrode of the third transistor Tr₃ is electro-statically coupled by the parasitic capacitor C₃ with the specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃. Thus, with the third transistor Tr₃ put in a turned-off state, an electric potential appearing on the node section P₁ changes in accordance with rises and falls of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂. In the time periods T₂ and T₆ shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 3B for example, within which the first transistor Tr₁ is in an uncertain state (shown as a triangle in FIG. 3B), the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁ rises on the rising edge of the first clock signal CK₁. As described above, the first clock signal CK₁ is supplied to the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁. Thus, if the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁ rises undesirably to a level of an order enabling a leak current to flow through the first transistor Tr₁, the first clock signal CK₁ results in the leak current which raises an electric potential appearing on the output section OUT₁. As a result, there is raised a problem that the electric potential appearing on the output section OUT₁ cannot be sustained at a low level during the time periods T₂ and T₆ as shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 4A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit provided at the first stage of the scan circuit 101 employing a voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ whereas FIG. 4B is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit employing the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁.

As described above, in the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment, the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ is connected between the node section P₁ and the first voltage supply line PS₁. Since the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ represses variations of the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁ when the third transistor Tr₃ is put in a turned-off state, a rise caused by a rise of the first clock signal CK₁ during each of the time periods T₂ and T₆ shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 4B as a rise of the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁ is suppressed. It is thus possible to solve the problem that the electric potential appearing on the output section OUT₁ cannot be sustained at a low level during the time periods T₂ and T₆ as shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 4B. As described above, this problem is raised because the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁ rises undesirably to a level of an order enabling a leak current to flow through the first transistor Tr₁ so that the first clock signal CK₁ supplied to the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ results in the leak current which raises an electric potential appearing on the output section OUT₁.

It is to be noted, however, that the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ connected between the node section P₁ and the first voltage supply line PS₁ does reduce bootstrap gain g_(b). The bootstrap gain g_(b) of the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment is expressed by Eq. (1) given below. In the following equation, reference notation C_(Tr1) denotes the gate capacitance of the first transistor Tr₁. g _(b)=(C _(Tr1) +C _(a) +C ₁)/(C ₁₁ +C ₃ +C _(Tr1) +C _(a) +C ₁)  (1)

Let reference notation V_(th1) denote the threshold voltage of the first transistor Tr₁. At the beginning of a time period T₄ shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 4B, it is necessary to set a voltage appearing between the gate and source electrodes of the first transistor Tr₁ at a level exceeding the threshold voltage V_(th1) of the first transistor Tr₁. Thus, the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ is required to have a capacitance meeting the condition. In addition, it is desirable to provide the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ which has a sufficiently large capacitance in comparison with the bootstrap capacitor C_(a).

By the way, in a shift register circuit serving as the scan circuit 101 shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 1, a signal output by a bootstrap circuit provided at a particular stage is supplied to a bootstrap circuit provided at the immediately succeeding stage. For example, a signal output by the output section OUT₁ of the bootstrap circuit provided at the first stage is supplied as an input signal IN₂ to the bootstrap circuit provided at the second stage.

FIG. 5A is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the scan circuit 101 shown in FIG. 1 for a case in which a signal supplied to a bootstrap circuit provided at a specific stage has a phase leading ahead of the phase of a signal supplied to a bootstrap circuit provided at stage immediately preceding the specific stage. On the other hand, FIG. 5B is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the scan circuit 101 shown in FIG. 1 for a case in which a signal supplied to a bootstrap circuit provided at a specific stage has a phase lagging behind the phase of a signal supplied to a bootstrap circuit provided at stage immediately preceding the specific stage. In each of the timing diagrams of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the signal supplied to a bootstrap circuit provided at the specific stage is denoted by reference notation IN₂=OUT₁. If a signal supplied to a bootstrap circuit provided at a specific stage has a phase leading ahead of the phase of a signal supplied to a bootstrap circuit provided at a stage immediately preceding the specific stage as shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 5A, bootstrap operations are not carried out by the bootstrap circuit normally in the timing periods T₃ and T₄ at the specific stage. If a signal supplied to a bootstrap circuit provided at a specific stage has a phase lagging behind the phase of a signal supplied to a bootstrap circuit provided at stage immediately preceding the specific stage as shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 5B, on the other hand, the bootstrap operations are carried out by the bootstrap circuit without generating problems in the timing periods T₃ and T₄ at the specific stage. Thus, in order to make the bootstrap operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit provided at the specific stage reliable, it is possible to provide a configuration in which a signal output by the bootstrap circuit provided at a stage immediately preceding the specific stage is supplied to the bootstrap circuit provided at the specific stage by way of a delay element as shown in a circuit diagram of FIG. 6A or 6B. One of elements such as a buffer circuit, a capacitor or a resistor can be properly selected in accordance with the design of the scan circuit 101 to serve as the delay element. The delay element can also be used in other embodiments to be described later.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment is obtained by modifying the first embodiment. In the same way as the first embodiment, the following description explains the configuration of a bootstrap circuit implemented by the second embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit at the first stage of the scan circuit 101 and explains operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit. Since the configuration of the organic EL display apparatus and operations carried out by the organic EL display apparatus for the second embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment, the configuration of the organic EL display apparatus and operations carried out by the organic EL display apparatus for the second embodiment are not explained in order to avoid duplications of descriptions. That is to say, only differences in configuration and operations between the first and second embodiments are explained. Also in the case of the other embodiments to be described later, the explanation of the configuration and operations except such differences is omitted as well.

FIG. 7A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit implemented by the second embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit at the first stage of the scan circuit 101 whereas FIG. 7B is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit implemented by the second embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit at the first stage of the scan circuit 101 taking parasitic capacitors into consideration.

In comparison with the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment, the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the second embodiment employs a fourth transistor Tr₂₄ having the same conduction type as the first transistor Tr₁ to the third transistor Tr₃ (that is the n-channel type in the second embodiment). In this bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the second embodiment:

(D-1) a specific one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor Tr₂₄ is connected by a junction point to the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁;

(D-2) the other one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor Tr₂₄ is connected by another junction point to the specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃; and

(D-3) the gate electrode of the fourth transistor Tr₂₄ is a connected to a second voltage supply line PS₂ employed in the embodiment conveying a second predetermined voltage V_(dd).

In the case of the configuration described above, the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ can be provided between the first voltage supply line PS₁ and the other junction point connecting the other one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor Tr₂₄ to the specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃. The remaining configuration of the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the second embodiment is identical with that of the first embodiment.

In the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the second embodiment, the fourth transistor Tr₂₄ splits the node section P₁ included in the first embodiment explained earlier by referring to the circuit diagram of FIG. 4A into a first sub-node section P_(1A) and a second sub-node section P_(1B). The first sub-node section P_(1A) is a portion close to the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ whereas the second sub-node section P_(1B) is a portion close to the specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃. That is to say, the first sub-node section P_(1A) is the junction point connecting the specific one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor Tr₂₄ to the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ whereas the second sub-node section P_(1B) is the other junction point connecting the other one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor Tr₂₄ is connected to the specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃. It is to be noted that reference notation C₂₄ denotes a parasitic capacitor between the gate electrode of the fourth transistor Tr₂₄ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor Tr₂₄.

In the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the second embodiment, when the fourth transistor Tr₂₄ is in a turned-on state, the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ is connected to the first sub-node section P_(1A) so that the first sub-node section P_(1A) and second sub-node section P_(1B) are electro-statically coupled by the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ with the first voltage supply line PS₁ conveying the first voltage V_(ss). By virtue of the capacitive coupling effect provided by the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ in this state, in the same way of the first embodiment, it is possible to repress variations of an electric potential appearing on each of the first sub-node section P_(1A) and the second sub-node section P_(1B) which compose the node section P₁ when the third transistor Tr₃ is put in a turned-off state. Thus, a rise caused by a rise of the first clock signal CK₁ as the rise of the electric potential appearing on each of the first sub-node section P_(1A) and the second sub-node section P_(1B) can be repressed in time periods T₂ and T₆ shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 7B.

In a time period T₄ shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 7B, on the other hand, the fourth transistor Tr₂₄ is in a turned-off state. That is to say, in a bootstrap operation, the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ is in a state of being electrically disconnected from the first sub-node section P_(1A). Thus, a phenomenon observed in the first embodiment as the phenomenon of a decreased bootstrap gain does not occur in the second embodiment. As a result, it is possible to provide a bootstrap gain higher than that of the first embodiment. The bootstrap gain g_(b) of the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the second embodiment is expressed by Eq. (2) given below. In the following equation, reference notation C_(Tr1) denotes the gate capacitance of the first transistor Tr₁. g _(b)=(C _(Tr1) +C _(a) +C ₁)/(C ₂₄ +C _(Tr1) +C _(a) +C ₁)  (2)

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment implements a bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the second mode of the present invention. As described above, the scan circuit 101 employs the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third embodiment at every stage. The following description explains only the configuration of the bootstrap circuit provided at the first stage to serve as the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third embodiment and operations carried out by this the bootstrap circuit.

FIG. 8A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of the bootstrap circuit implemented by the third embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit at the first stage of the scan circuit 101 whereas FIG. 8B is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit implemented by the third embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit at the first stage of the scan circuit 101. It is to be noted that the timing charts show the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ which have phases opposite to each other and change the phases synchronously.

In the same way as the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment described earlier, the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third embodiment employs the first transistor Tr₁, the second transistor Tr₂ and the third transistor Tr₃ which have the same conduction type. Also in the case of the third embodiment, the conduction type is the n-channel conduction type.

In the same way as the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, in the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third embodiment:

(A-1) a specific one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ and a specific one of the source and drain areas of the second transistor Tr₂ are connected to each other by an output section OUT₁ of the bootstrap circuit;

(A-2) the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ is connected to a clock supply line which conveys a specific one of two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ having phases different from each other (in the case of the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention, the specific one of two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ is the clock signal CK₁ as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 8A);

(A-3) the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and a specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃ are connected to each other by a node section P₁;

(B-1) the other one of the source and drain areas of the second transistor Tr₂ is connected to a first voltage supply line PS₁ conveying a first predetermined voltage V_(ss) which is set at a typical electric potential of 0 V;

(C-1) the other one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃ is connected to a signal supply line which conveys an input signal IN₁ supplied to the bootstrap circuit;

(C-2) the gate electrode of the third transistor Tr₃ is connected to a clock supply line which conveys the other one of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ (in the case of the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention, the other one of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ is the clock signal CK₂ as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 8A); and

the node section P₁ connecting the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃ to each other is put in a floating state when the third transistor Tr₃ is put in a turned-off state.

In addition, the gate electrode of the second transistor Tr₂ is connected to the clock supply line which conveys the other one of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ having phases different from each other. (In the case of the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention, the other one of two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ is the clock signal CK₂ as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 8A). On top of that, in place of the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ wired between the node section P₁ and the first voltage supply line PS₁ as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 1, a voltage-variation repression capacitor C₃₁ is connected between the node section P₁ and the gate electrode of the second transistor Tr₂.

In the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third embodiment, the capacitance of the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₃₁ is set at such a value that abrupt level changes of the first clock signal CK₁ and abrupt level changes of the second clock signal CK₂ cancel each other. That is to say, variations of the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁ are reduced during the time periods T₂ and T₆ as shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 8B.

The bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third embodiment is explained concretely as follows. Abrupt level changes of the first clock signal CK₁ arrive at the node section P₁ by way of a parasitic capacitor C₁. In addition, abrupt level changes of the second clock signal CK₂ arrive at the node section P₁ by way of not only a parasitic capacitor C₃, but also a parasitic capacitor C₂ and a bootstrap capacitor C_(a) used for bootstrap operations.

Through the subsequent stages of the scan circuit 101, the output section OUT₁ is eventually connected to a load such as a scan line SCL having a large capacitance. Thus, the first transistor Tr₁ is generally designed as a transistor having a large size such as a W (width) of 100 and an L (length) of 10. On the other hand, it is necessary to repress a leak current flowing through the third transistor Tr₃ in order to allow the bootstrap operation to be carried out well. Thus, the third transistor Tr₃ is generally designed as a transistor having a small size such as a W of 5 and an L of 10. The second transistor Tr₂ is a supplementary transistor for sustaining the low level which is the level of the first voltage V_(ss). Thus, it is not necessary to design the second transistor Tr₂ into a transistor having a large size. For example, the size of the second transistor Tr₂ is set at a W of 10 and an L of 10.

Let reference notation C_(SEL) denotes the capacitance of the eventual load connected to the output section OUT₁. The load capacitance C_(SEL) is extremely large in comparison with the parasitic capacitor C₂. Thus, some abrupt level changes originated from the second clock signal CK₂ as abrupt level changes propagating to the node section P₁ by way of the parasitic capacitor C₂ and the bootstrap capacitor C_(a) used for the bootstrap operation almost do not have an effect on the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁. For this reason, when taking the abrupt level changes of the second clock signal CK₂ into consideration, the abrupt level changes propagating to the node section P₁ by way of the parasitic capacitor C₂ and the bootstrap capacitor C_(a) used for the bootstrap operation can be ignored.

As described above, abrupt level changes of the first clock signal CK₁ arrive at the node section P₁ by way of the parasitic capacitor C₁. In addition, abrupt level changes of the second clock signal CK₂ arrive at the node section P₁ by way of the parasitic capacitor C₃. Since the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ have phases opposite to each other, the abrupt level changes originated from the first clock signal CK₁ as abrupt level changes propagating to the node section P₁ by way of the parasitic capacitor C₁ change the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁ in a direction opposite to the direction in which the abrupt level changes originated from the second clock signal CK₂ as abrupt level changes propagating to the node section P₁ by way of the parasitic capacitor C₃ change the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁. Thus, if the capacitance of the parasitic capacitor C₁ is equal to the capacitance of the parasitic capacitor C₃, the effect of the abrupt level changes of the first clock signal CK₁ and the effect of the abrupt level changes of the second clock signal CK₂ cancel each other.

Since the size of the first transistor Tr₁ is different from the size of the third transistor Tr₃ as described above, however, the capacitance of the parasitic capacitor C₁ is normally greater than the capacitance of the parasitic capacitor C₃. Thus, the effect of the abrupt level changes of the first clock signal CK₁ is different from the effect of the abrupt level changes of the second clock signal CK₂. As a result, the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁ varies.

In order to solve the problem described above, the bootstrap circuit according to the third embodiment is provided with the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₃₁ connected between the gate electrodes of the second transistor Tr₂ and the third transistor Tr₃ in parallel to the parasitic capacitor C₃ in order to reduce variations which are caused by the difference between the effect of the abrupt level changes of the first clock signal CK₁ and the effect of the abrupt level changes of the second clock signal CK₂ as variations of the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁. The capacitance of the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₃₁ is properly determined in accordance with the design of the bootstrap circuit. Typically, the capacitance of the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₃₁ is determined by measuring the variations of the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁.

Fourth Embodiment

A fourth embodiment implements a bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third mode of the present invention. As described above, the scan circuit 101 employs the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fourth embodiment at every stage. The following description explains only the configuration of the bootstrap circuit provided at the first stage to serve as the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third fourth and operations carried out by this the bootstrap circuit.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of the bootstrap circuit implemented by the fourth embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit at the first stage of the scan circuit 101. In the same way as the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment described earlier, the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fourth embodiment employs the first transistor Tr₁, the second transistor Tr₂ and the third transistor Tr₃ which have the same conduction type. Also in the case of the fourth embodiment, the conduction type is the n-channel conduction type.

In the same way as the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, in the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fourth embodiment:

(A-1) a specific one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ and a specific one of the source and drain areas of the second transistor Tr₂ are connected to each other by an output section OUT₁ of the bootstrap circuit;

(A-2) the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ is connected to a clock supply line which conveys a specific one of two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ having phases different from each other (in the case of the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the specific one of two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ is the clock signal CK₁ as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 9);

(A-3) the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and a specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃ are connected to each other by a node section P₁;

(B-1) the other one of the source and drain areas of the second transistor Tr₂ is connected to a first voltage supply line PS₁ conveying a first predetermined voltage V_(ss) which is set at a typical electric potential of 0 V;

(C-1) the other one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃ is connected to a signal supply line which conveys an input signal IN₁ supplied to the bootstrap circuit;

(C-2) the gate electrode of the third transistor Tr₃ is connected to a clock supply line which conveys the other one of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ (in the case of the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the other one of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ is the clock signal CK₂ as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 9); and

the node section P₁ connecting the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃ to each other is put in a floating, state when the third transistor Tr₃ is put in a turned-off state.

The bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention is also provided with a fourth transistor Tr₄₄ having the same conduction type as the first to third transistors and, in the bootstrap circuit:

(E-1) a specific one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor Tr₄₄ is connected by an input-side junction point to the input side of an inverter circuit B₄₁, the output side of which is connected by an output-side to the gate electrode of the second transistor Tr₂;

(E-2) the other one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor Tr₄₄ is connected to the input supply line; and

(E-3) the gate electrode of the fourth transistor Tr₄₄ is connected to the clock supply line which conveys the other one of the two clock signals (in the case of the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the other one of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ is the clock signal CK₂ as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 9).

As shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 9, the input-side junction point connecting the specific one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor Tr₄₄ to the input side of the inverter circuit B₄₁ is referred to as a node section Q₁ whereas an output-side junction point connecting the output side of the inverter circuit B₄₁ to the gate electrode of the second transistor Tr₂ is referred to as a node section R₁.

FIG. 10A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of the inverter circuit B₄₁ whereas FIG. 10B is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the inverter circuit B₄₁. First of all, the following description explains the configuration of the inverter circuit B₄₁ and operations carried out by the inverter circuit B₄₁.

The configuration shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 10A as the configuration of the inverter circuit B₄₁ is identical with a configuration shown in FIG. 5 of Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2005-143068. It is to be noted, however, that reference notations and reference numerals in the circuit diagram of FIG. 10A are different from those used in FIG. 5 of Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2005-143068.

As shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 10A, the inverter circuit B₄₁ employs four inverter transistors which are each created as a transistor of the n-channel type, i.e., inverter transistors Tr₄₀, Tr₄₁, Tr₄₁ and Tr₄₃, as well as a bootstrap capacitor C_(ap). Created on a substrate not shown in the diagram of FIG. 10A, each of the inverter transistors Tr₄₀, Tr₄₁, Tr₄₂ and Tr₄₃ is also an n-channel TFT (Thin Film Transistor) having source and drain areas, a channel creation area as well as a gate electrode. In the same way as the capacitors such as the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ and the bootstrap capacitor C_(a) which are employed in the first embodiment, the bootstrap capacitor C_(ap) is also configured to employ two conductive layers and an insulation layer sandwiched by the two conductive layers.

A specific one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Tr₄₀ is connected to a specific one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Tr₄₁. The other one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Tr₄₀ is connected to the first voltage supply line that conveys the first voltage V_(ss). The gate electrode of the inverter transistor Tr₄₀ is connected to the node section Q₁ included in the bootstrap circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 9 to serve as a node section supplying an input signal IN_(Q1) to the inverter circuit B₄₁. A junction point connecting the specific one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Tr₄₀ to the specific one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Tr₄₁ outputs an inverted output signal OUT_(R1) to the node section R₁ of the bootstrap circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 9. The other one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Tr₄₁ serving as a resistive load of the inverter transistor Tr₄₀ is connected to the second voltage supply line which conveys the second voltage V_(dd).

The bootstrap capacitor C_(ap) is connected between the gate electrode of the inverter transistor Tr₄₁ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Tr₄₁, forming a bootstrap circuit in conjunction with the inverter transistor Tr₄₁. A specific one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Tr₄₂ is connected to the gate electrode of the inverter transistor Tr₄₁ whereas the other one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Tr₄₂ is connected to the second voltage supply line which conveys the second voltage V_(dd). The gate electrode of the inverter transistor Tr₄₂ is connected to a reference signal line which conveys a first reference signal REF₁. A junction point connecting the specific one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Tr₄₂ to the gate electrode of the inverter transistor Tr₄₁ serves as a node section N. A specific one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Tr₄₃ is connected to the node section N whereas the other one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Tr₄₃ is connected to the first voltage supply line which conveys the first voltage V_(ss). The gate electrode of the inverter transistor Tr₄₃ is connected to a reference signal line which conveys a second reference signal REF₂.

The timing diagram of FIG. 10B shows timing charts of the input signal IN_(Q1) supplied to the inverter circuit B₄₁, the first reference signal REF₁, the second reference signal REF₂, the electric potential appearing on the node section N and the output signal OUT_(R1) generated by the inverter circuit B₄₁. The input signal IN_(Q1) supplied to the inverter circuit B₄₁ is a signal coming from the node section Q₁ whereas the output signal OUT_(R1) generated by the inverter circuit B₄₁ is a signal supplied to the node section R₁. The timing chart of a signal shows a relation between the level of the signal and the timing of the level. Before the level of the input signal IN_(Q1) changes from the high level of the second voltage V_(dd) to the low level of the first voltage V_(ss) or, in other words, during a fixed time period immediately leading ahead of the end of the high level of the input signal IN_(Q1), the first reference signal REF₁ is at a high level. After the level of the input signal IN_(Q1) changes from the low level to the high level. On the other hand, the second reference signal REF₂ is at a high level for the fixed time period immediately lagging behind the rising edge of the input signal IN_(Q1).

By providing the inverter circuit B₄₁ with the inverter transistor Tr₄₃ for resetting the electric potential appearing on the gate electrode of the inverter transistor Tr₄₁ to the low level when the input signal IN_(Q1) changes from the low level to the high level, with the input signal IN_(Q1) set at the high level, the inverter transistor Tr₄₁ can be put in a turned-off state completely, disallowing a penetration current to flow. It is to be noted that the electric potential appearing on the gate electrode of the inverter transistor Tr₄₁ is the electric potential appearing on the node section N. Thus, the electric potential appearing on the output signal OUT_(R1) is not changed by the penetration current. As a result, the first voltage V_(ss) can be obtained as the low level of the electric potential of the output signal OUT_(R1).

In addition, by providing the inverter transistor Tr₄₂ for pre-charging the electric potential appearing on the gate electrode of the inverter transistor Tr₄₁ (that is the electric potential appearing on the node section N) to the high level before the input signal IN_(Q1) changes from the high level to the low level, the electric potential appearing on the gate electrode of the inverter transistor Tr₄₁ is further raised from the pre-charge level set by the inverter transistor Tr₄₂ to an even higher level on the plus side when the level of the input signal IN_(Q1) changes to the low level by virtue of the capacitive coupling effect provided by the bootstrap capacitor C_(ap). As a result, the second voltage V_(dd) can be obtained as the high level of the electric potential of the output signal OUT_(R1).

FIG. 11 is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 9 to serve as a bootstrap circuit according to the fourth embodiment. In this bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fourth embodiment, due to the operations carried out by the inverter circuit B₄₁, during a period of time between the start of the time period T₁ and the rising edge of the input signal IN₁ in the time period T₃ as well as during a period of time between the rising edge of the second clock signal CK₂ in the time period T₅ and the end of the time period T₆, the electric potential appearing on the node section R₁ is sustained at the high level. During these periods of time, the first voltage V_(ss) is supplied to the output section OUT₁ by way of the second transistor Tr₂ which is in a turned-on state. In addition, during a specific period of time in the time period T₃, the first clock signal CK₁ at the low level is supplied to the output section OUT₁. The specific period of time in the time period T₃ is a period of time during which each of the second clock signal CK₂ and the input signal IN₁ is at a high level. On top of that, also during a period of time between the falling edge of the first clock signal CK₁ in the time period T₄ and the rising edge of the second clock signal CK₂ in the time period T₅, the first clock signal CK₁ at the low level is supplied to the output section OUT₁.

Thus, in the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fourth embodiment, the first voltage V_(ss) or the first clock signal CK₁ at the low level is supplied to the output section OUT₁ as the low level of the electric potential appearing on the output section OUT₁, preventing the output section OUT₁ from entering a floating state. As a result, the electric potential appearing on the output section OUT₁ does not vary due to abrupt level changes arriving through the bootstrap capacitor C_(a) and/or the parasitic capacitor C₂. That is to say, effects of the abrupt level changes can be reduced.

In addition, it is also possible to provide a configuration making use of any one of a variety of inverter circuits proposed by the inventors of the present invention in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2008-26742 and 2008-26743 as the inverter circuit B₄₁. FIG. 12A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of an inverter circuit 110 whereas each of FIGS. 12B and 12C is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to other operations carried out by the inverter circuit 110 shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 12A.

First of all, the configuration of the inverter circuit 110 is explained by referring to the circuit diagram of FIG. 12A as follows. The inverter circuit 110 is configured to employ inverter transistors Q_(n) _(—) ₁, Q_(n) _(—) ₂ and Q_(n) _(—) ₃ having the same conduction type such as the n-channel conduction type. In the inverter circuit 110:

(A-1) a specific one of the source and drain areas of the transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₁ and a specific one of the source and drain areas of the transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₂ are connected to each other by an output section OUT of the inverter circuit 110;

(B-1) the other one of the source and drain areas of the transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₂ is connected to the second voltage supply line PS₂;

(B-2) the gate electrode of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₂ is connected to a specific one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₃; and

(C-1) the gate electrode of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₃ is connected to the other one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₃.

The inverter circuit 110 further employs an inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₁₄ which has the same conduction type as that of the inverter transistors Q_(n) _(—) ₁, Q_(n) _(—) ₂ and Q_(n) _(—) ₃. The other one of the source and drain areas of the transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₃ is also connected to the second voltage supply line PS₂. A node section A connecting the gate electrode of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₂ to the specific one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₃ is wired to a specific one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₁₄. The other one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₁ and the other one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₁₄ are both connected to the first voltage supply line PS₁. The gate electrodes of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₁ and the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₁₄ are connected to a line which conveys an input signal IN supplied to the inverter circuit 110.

Each of the inverter transistors Q_(n) _(—) ₁, Q_(n) _(—) ₂, Q_(n) _(—) ₃ and Q_(—14) employed in the inverter circuit 110 is also an re-channel TFT (Thin Film Transistor) having source and drain areas, a channel creation area as well as a gate electrode. These inverter transistors are created on a substrate which is not shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 12A.

It is to be noted that a capacitor C_(ap) serving as a bootstrap capacitor is connected between the gate electrode of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₂ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₂. For example, the bootstrap capacitor C_(ap) is configured to employ two conductive layers and an insulation layer sandwiched by the two conductive layers. The bootstrap capacitor C_(ap) is also created on the substrate which is not shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 12A.

The second voltage supply line PS₂ conveys the second voltage V_(dd) having a high level determined in advance whereas the first voltage supply line PS₁ conveys the first voltage V_(ss) having a low level determined in advance. The input signal IN is supplied to the gate electrode of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₁. In the following description of the inverter circuit 110, the low level of the input signal IN is assumed to be the level of the first voltage V_(ss) whereas the high level of the input signal IN is assumed to be the level of the second voltage V_(dd).

When the input signal IN is supplied to the inverter circuit 110, each of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₁ and the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₁₄ is turned on. Thus, during a time period T₂ shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 12B, an electric potential V_(A2) appearing on the node section A is at level which is between the first voltage V_(ss) asserted on the first voltage supply line PS₁ and a level of (V_(dd)-V_(th) _(—) ₃) and close to the first voltage V_(ss). A low level V_(OUT2) of the output signal OUT generated by the inverter circuit 110 during the time period T₂ is determined by partial pressure ratio composed of the turned-on resistance of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₁ and the turned-off resistance of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₂ put in a turned-off state by the electric potential V_(A2), which appears on the node section A connected to the gate electrode of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₂ as a electric potential lower than the level of (V_(dd)-V_(th) _(—) ₃), to serve as a potentiometer connected between the first voltage supply line PS₁ and the second voltage supply line PS₂. Thus, the low level V_(OUT2) of the output signal OUT during the time period T₂ is even closer to the first voltage V_(ss). During a time period T₃, on the other hand, the same bootstrap operation as the bootstrap operation described earlier in the paragraph with a title of “Description of the Related Art” takes place, causing an electric potential V_(A3) appearing on the node section A to exceed the second voltage V_(dd) which is a voltage set at the high level. If a difference of (V_(A3)-V_(dd)) is set at a value greater than the threshold voltage V_(th) _(—) ₂ of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₂, a high level V_(OUT3) of the output signal OUT of the inverter circuit 110 during the time period T₃ attains the second voltage V_(dd) which is a voltage set at the perfect high level.

It is to be noted that, in the inverter circuit 110, the input signal. IN serves as a gate-source voltage V_(gs) applied between the gate and source electrodes of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₁. Even if the high level of the input signal IN does not attain the second voltage V_(dd), the inverter circuit 110 operates. To put it concretely, if the level of the input signal IN is higher than the threshold voltage V_(th) _(—) ₁ of the inverter transistor Q_(n) _(—) ₁ during the time period T₂ as shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 12C, the voltage of the output signal OUT of the inverter circuit 110 changes from a high level to a low level. Thus, the inverter circuit 110 also functions as a level shifter.

Fifth Embodiment

A fifth embodiment is obtained by modifying the fourth embodiment. Much like the descriptions given so far to serve as the descriptions of the first to fourth embodiments, the following description explains the configuration of a bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with the fifth embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit provided at the first stage of the scan circuit 101 and operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit.

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with the fifth embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit provided at the first stage of the scan circuit 101. The configuration of the bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with the fifth embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 13 is basically identical with the configuration of the bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with the fourth embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 9 except that, in the case of the bootstrap circuit according to the fifth embodiment, a voltage-variation repression capacitor C₅₁ is wired between the first voltage supply line PS₁ and a junction point connecting the specific one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor Tr₄₄ to the input side of the inverter circuit B₄₁.

Since operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with the fifth embodiment are identical with the operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with the fourth embodiment as described earlier by referring to the timing diagram of FIG. 11, description of the operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit according to the fifth embodiment is omitted in order to avoid duplications of descriptions. The voltage-variation repression capacitor C₅₁ functions as a capacitor for absorbing variations of the electric potential appearing on the node section Q₁. Thus, the operations carried out by the inverter circuit B₄₁ can be made more stable. As a result, the operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit can also be made more stable as well.

Sixth Embodiment

A sixth embodiment is also obtained by modifying the fourth embodiment. Much like the descriptions given so far to serve as the descriptions of the first to fifth embodiments, the following description explains the configuration of a bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with the sixth embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit provided at the first stage of the scan circuit 101 and operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit.

FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with the sixth embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit provided at the first stage of the scan circuit 101. The configuration of the bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with the sixth embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 14 is basically identical with the configuration of the bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with the fourth embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 9 except that, in the case of the bootstrap circuit according to the sixth embodiment, a bypass capacitor C₆₁ is wired between the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ and a junction point connecting the specific one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor Tr₄₄ to the input side of the inverter circuit B₄₁. It is to be noted that reference notation C₄₄ denotes a parasitic capacitor between the gate electrode of the fourth transistor Tr₄₄ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor Tr₄₄.

Since operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with the sixth embodiment are identical with the operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with the fourth embodiment as described earlier by referring to the timing diagram of FIG. 11, description of the operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit according to the sixth embodiment is omitted in order to avoid duplications of descriptions. The bypass capacitor C₆₁ functions as a capacitor for decreasing a difference generated at the node section Q₁ as a difference between abrupt level changes of the clock signals CK₁ and CK₂. To put it more concretely, abrupt level changes of the clock signal CK₂ arriving at the node section Q₁ by way of a parasitic capacitor C₄₄ and abrupt level changes of the clock signal CK₁ arriving at the node section Q₁ by way of the bypass capacitor C₆₁ cancel each other. As a result, the operation carried out by the bootstrap circuit can be made more stable.

Seventh Embodiment

A seventh embodiment implements a bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fourth mode of the present invention. Much like the descriptions given so far to serve as the descriptions of the first to sixth embodiments, the following description explains the configuration of a bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with the seventh embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit provided at the first stage of the scan circuit 101 and operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit.

FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit implemented in accordance with the seventh embodiment to serve as a bootstrap circuit provided at the first stage of the scan circuit 101. In the same way as the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment described earlier, the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the seventh embodiment employs the first transistor Tr₁, the second transistor Tr₂ and the third transistor Tr₃ which have the same conduction type. Also in the case of the seventh embodiment, the conduction type is the n-channel conduction type. FIG. 16 is a timing diagram showing a model of timing charts of signals relevant to operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 15.

In the same way as the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment described earlier, in the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the seventh embodiment:

(A-1) a specific one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ and a specific one of the source and drain areas of the second transistor Tr₂ are connected to each other by an output section OUT₁, of the bootstrap circuit;

(A-2) the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ is connected to a clock supply line which conveys a specific one of two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ having phases different from each other (in the case of the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the specific one of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ is the clock signal CK₁ as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 15);

(A-3) the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and a specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃ are connected to each other by a node section P₁;

(B-1) the other one of the source and drain areas of the second transistor Tr₂ is connected to a first voltage supply line PS₁ conveying a first predetermined voltage V_(ss), which is set at a typical electric potential of 0 V;

(C-1) the other one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃ is connected to a signal supply line which conveys an input signal IN₁ supplied to the bootstrap circuit;

(C-2) the gate electrode of the third transistor Tr₃ is connected to a clock supply line which conveys the other one of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ (in the case of the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the other one of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ is the clock signal CK₂ as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 15); and

the node section P₁ connecting the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the third transistor Tr₃ to each other is put in a floating state when the third transistor Tr₃ is put in a turned-off state.

In the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the seventh of the present invention:

the gate electrode of the second transistor Tr₂ is connected to the clock supply line which conveys the other one (that is the clock signal CK₂ in this case) of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ having phases different from each other;

the bootstrap circuit is provided with at least one of circuit sections each employing a fourth transistor Tr₇₄ and a fifth transistor Tr₇₅ which have the same conduction type as the first transistor Tr₁ to the third transistor Tr₃ (in the case of the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the conduction types of the first transistor Tr₁ to the third transistor Tr₃, the fourth transistor Tr₇₄ and the fifth transistor Tr₇₅ are the re-channel conduction type);

in each of the circuit sections:

-   -   (F-1) the gate electrode of the fourth transistor Tr₇₄ is         connected by a node section Q₁ to a specific one of the source         and drain areas of the fifth transistor Tr₇₅; and     -   (F-2) the other one of the source and drain areas of the fifth         transistor Tr₇₅ is connected to the signal supply line which         conveys the input signal IN₁; and

the specific one (that is the clock signal CK₁ in this case) of the two clock signals having phases different from each other is supplied to the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ by way of the fourth transistor Tr₇₄ connected in series between the clock supply line supplying the specific one of the two clock signals and the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁. The bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present invention can be configured to include a capacitor C_(b) wired between the output section OUT₁ and the node section Q₁ connecting the gate electrode of the fourth transistor Tr₇₄ to the specific one of the source and drain areas of the fifth transistor Tr₇₅ to serve as a bootstrap supplementary capacitor.

As is obvious from the circuit diagram of FIG. 15, in accordance with the configuration of the bootstrap circuit, also in the circuit section employing the fourth transistor Tr₇₄ and the fifth transistor Tr₇₅, a bootstrap operation takes place. The gate electrode of the fourth transistor Tr₇₄ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the fifth transistor Tr₇₅ together form the node section Q₁ which enters a floating state when the fifth transistor Tr₇₅ is put in a turned-off state. One of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor Tr₇₄ is connected by a node section R₁ to the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁. The other one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor Tr₇₄ is connected to the first clock supply line which conveys the first clock signal CK₁. The node section R₁ is affected by the first clock signal CK₁ with ease. Thus, in order to prevent the bootstrap supplementary capacitor C_(b) from being affected with ease by operations other than the bootstrap operations, the bootstrap supplementary capacitor C_(b) is connected to the output section OUT₁ instead of being connected to the node section R₁. As described above, the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the seventh embodiment has a configuration including a plurality of such circuit sections connected in parallel in each of which a bootstrap operation takes place. Reference notation C₇₄ denotes a parasitic capacitor between the gate electrode of the fourth transistor Tr₇₄ and the other one of the source and drain areas included in the fourth transistor Tr₇₄ as an area connected to the first clock supply line which conveys the first clock signal CK₁. On the other hand, reference notation C₇₅ denotes a parasitic capacitor between the gate electrode of the fifth transistor Tr₇₅ and the specific one of the source and drain areas of the fifth transistor Tr₇₅.

In the description of the first embodiment, operations carried out by the bootstrap circuit in related art are explained by taking parasitic capacitors included in the bootstrap circuit in related art into consideration with reference to the diagrams of FIGS. 3A and 3B. In the bootstrap circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 3A, as described earlier, the gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ is a portion of the node section P₁ whereas the first clock signal CK₁ is supplied to the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁. The gate electrode of the first transistor Tr₁ is electro-statically coupled by the parasitic capacitor C₁ with the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁. In the time periods T₂ and T₆ shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 3B for example, the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁ rises on the rising edge of the first clock signal CK₁. As described above, the first clock signal CK₁ is supplied to the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁. Thus, if the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁ rises undesirably to a level of an order enabling a leak current to flow through the first transistor Tr₁, the first clock signal CK₁ results in the leak current which raises an electric potential appearing on the output section OUT₁. As a result, there is raised a problem that the electric potential appearing on the output section OUT₁ cannot be sustained at a low level during the time periods T₂ and T₆ as shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 3B.

In the bootstrap circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 15, the same phenomenon as the phenomenon explained earlier by referring to the circuit diagram of FIG. 3A as a phenomenon occurring for the node section P₁ occurs for the node section Q₁. In the case of the bootstrap circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 15, the gate electrode of the fourth transistor Tr₇₄ is a portion of the node section Q₁ whereas the first clock signal CK₁ is supplied to one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor Tr₇₄. The gate electrode of the fourth transistor Tr₇₄ is electro-statically coupled by a parasitic capacitor C₇₄ with the one of the source and drain areas of the fourth transistor Tr₇₄. In the time periods T₂ and T₆ shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 16 for example, the electric potential appearing on the node section Q₁ rises on the rising edge of the first clock signal CK₁.

In the bootstrap circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 15, in comparison with fluctuations of the first clock signal CK₁, however, fluctuations of the electric potential appearing on the node section R₁ are relatively small except during a bootstrap operation. Thus, abrupt level changes propagating to the node section P₁ due to the fluctuations of the electric potential appearing on the node section R₁ are also small as well so that changes of the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁ of the bootstrap circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 15 can be repressed more than the changes of the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁ of the bootstrap circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 3A are repressed.

As described above, it is also possible to provide a configuration including two or more circuit sections each employing a fourth transistor Tr₇₄ and a fifth transistor Tr₇₅ which have the same conduction type such as the n-channel conduction type as that of the first transistor Tr₁, the second transistor Tr₂ and the third transistor Tr₃. In such a configuration, changes of the electric potential appearing on the node section P₁ of the bootstrap circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 15 can be repressed even better.

FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration obtained by adding a circuit section employing a fourth transistor Tr_(74A) and a fifth transistor Tr_(75A) to the configuration already including a circuit section employing a fourth transistor Tr₇₄ and a fifth transistor Tr₇₅ as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 15. In the configuration shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 17, a specific one of the two clock signals CK₁ and CK₂ having phases different from each other is supplied to the other one of the source and drain areas of the first transistor Tr₁ by way of the fourth transistor Tr_(74A) and the fourth transistor Tr₇₄ connected in series to each other. It is to be noted that, for the sake of simplicity, circuit diagrams of FIG. 17 and subsequent figures do not show parasitic capacitors.

It is also worth noting that the configuration of the bootstrap circuit according to the seventh embodiment can be further provided with a voltage-variation repression capacitor in addition to the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ employed in bootstrap circuit according to the first embodiment shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 4A or further provided with a voltage-variation repression capacitor in addition to the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₃₁ employed in bootstrap circuit according to the third embodiment shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 8A. FIG. 18A is a circuit diagram showing a configuration including an additional voltage-variation repression capacitor C_(11A) added to the bootstrap circuit according to the seventh embodiment shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 15 to serve as a capacitor in addition to a voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ corresponding to the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₁₁ employed in bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 4A whereas FIG. 18B is a circuit diagram showing a configuration including an additional voltage-variation capacitor C_(31A) added to the bootstrap circuit according to the seventh embodiment shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 15 to serve as a capacitor in addition to a voltage-variation repression capacitor C₃₁ corresponding to the voltage-variation repression capacitor C₃₁ employed in bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third embodiment shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 8A.

The preferred first to seventh embodiments of the present invention have been described so far. However, the scope of the present invention is by no means limited to these embodiments. The structure and configuration of each of the bootstrap circuits each provided in accordance with one of the first to seventh embodiments are only typical and can therefore be modified properly. FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit obtained by properly combining the characteristics of the configurations of the first to seventh embodiments.

As described above, every transistor employed in each of the first to seventh embodiments is a transistor of the n-channel type. However, each of the transistors does not have to be a transistor of the n-channel type. That is to say, each of the transistors can be a transistor of the p-channel type. If each of the transistors is a transistor of the p-channel type in the configuration of a bootstrap circuit, basically, the configuration needs to be changed so that the first voltage supply line PS₁ is used for conveying the second voltage V_(dd) whereas the second voltage supply line PS₂ is used for conveying the first voltage V_(ss) in each of the first to seventh embodiments.

FIG. 20A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first embodiment at the first stage of the scan circuit 101 as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 4A. FIG. 20B is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the second embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 7A. FIG. 20C is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the third embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 21A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fourth embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 9. FIG. 21B is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the fifth embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 13. FIG. 21C is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the sixth embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 14.

FIG. 22A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the seventh embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 15. FIG. 22B is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, also to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the seventh embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 17.

FIG. 23A is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the seventh embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 18A. FIG. 23B is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, also to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the seventh embodiment as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 18B.

FIG. 24 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration of a bootstrap circuit composed of transistors, which are each created as a transistor of the p-channel type, to serve as a bootstrap circuit corresponding to the bootstrap circuit provided in accordance with the first to seventh embodiments as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 19.

In addition, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur, depending on design requirements and other factors as far as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 

1. A bootstrap circuit configured to employ first, second, third and fourth transistors having the same conduction type wherein: (A-1) a specific one of the source and drain areas of said first transistor and a specific one of the source and drain areas of said second transistor are directly electrically connected to each other by an output section of said bootstrap circuit; (A-2) the other one of said source and drain areas of said first transistor is directly electrically connected to a clock supply line which conveys a specific one of two clock signals having phases different from each other; (A-3) the gate electrode of said first transistor and a specific one of the source and drain areas of said third transistor are directly electrically connected to each other by a node section; (B-1) the other one of said source and drain areas of said second transistor is directly electrically connected to a first voltage supply line which conveys a first predetermined voltage; (C-1) the other one of said source and drain areas of said third transistor is directly electrically connected to a signal supply line which conveys an input signal supplied to said bootstrap circuit; (C-2) the gate electrode of said third transistor is directly electrically connected to a clock supply line which conveys the other one of said two clock signals; (E-1) a specific one of the source and drain areas of said fourth transistor is directly electrically connected by a junction point to the input side of an inverter circuit, the output side of which is directly electrically connected to said gate electrode of said second transistor; (E-2) the other one of said source and drain areas of said fourth transistor is directly electrically connected to said signal supply line; and (E-3) the gate electrode of said fourth transistor is directly electrically connected to said clock supply line which conveys said other one of the two clock signals.
 2. The bootstrap circuit according to claim 1, wherein a voltage-variation repression capacitor is provided between said first voltage supply line and said junction point connecting said specific one of the source and drain areas of said fourth transistor to said input side of said inverter circuit.
 3. A bootstrap circuit comprising a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, and a fourth transistor, wherein: a first source/drain area of the first transistor is directly electrically connected to a first source/drain area of the second transistor, the first source/drain area of the first transistor and the first source/drain area of the second transistor being directly electrically connected to an output section of the bootstrap circuit; a second source/drain area of the first transistor is directly electrically connected to a first clock supply line; a second source/drain area of the second transistor is directly electrically connected to a first voltage supply line; a gate electrode of the first transistor is directly electrically connected to a first source/drain area of the third transistor by a node section; a second source/drain area of the third transistor is directly electrically connected to a signal supply line, the signal supply line conveying an input signal supplied to the bootstrap circuit; a gate electrode of the third transistor is directly electrically connected to the second clock supply line; a first source/drain area of the fourth transistor is directly electrically connected to an input side of an inverter circuit by a junction point; and a gate electrode of the second transistor is directly electrically connected to an output side of the inverter circuit.
 4. The bootstrap circuit according to claim 3, wherein a second source/drain area of the fourth transistor is directly electrically connected to the signal supply line.
 5. The bootstrap circuit according to claim 4, wherein a gate electrode of the fourth transistor is directly electrically connected to the second clock supply line.
 6. The bootstrap circuit according to claim 5, wherein a voltage-variation repression capacitor is provided between the first voltage supply line and the junction point.
 7. The bootstrap circuit according to claim 5, wherein the first transistor, the second transistor, the third transistor, and the fourth transistor are of a same conduction type.
 8. The bootstrap circuit according to claim 5, wherein the first voltage supply line conveys a first predetermined voltage.
 9. The bootstrap circuit according to claim 5, wherein the first clock supply line conveys a first clock signal and the second clock supply line conveys a second clock signal, the first clock signal having a phase different than a phase of the second clock signal. 